My Story – Krishna Gohil (South Asian Heritage Month 2025)

My journey in healthcare began in the NHS as a Diabetes Specialist Podiatrist. Before stepping into academia, I held the role of National Lead for the Lower Limb Workstream within the National Wound Care Strategy Programme. 

I’ve now been in my current role for six years. Each day brings something different, but what has remained constant is my love for teaching, mentoring, and empowering others to be the best versions of themselves. Supporting students and colleagues in their growth continues to bring me great fulfilment.

My South Asian heritage is deeply rooted in India. All four of my grandparents were born there before being relocated to East Africa as part of the colonial effort to build the railways. Though they arrived with very little, they worked hard and became successful in their own right. However, political unrest forced them to leave everything behind and start again in the UK. A painful yet courageous decision. They settled in England, and my parents married and raised their family in Manchester, where I was born.

Their resilience has been my anchor. Knowing that they had the strength to rebuild their lives from scratch gives me courage whenever I face challenges. My mother, who was a nurse, was my inspiration to pursue a career in healthcare. From a young age, I wanted to help people, to ease suffering and make a meaningful difference.

I remember seeing a podiatrist as a child. I went in with pain and came out pain-free. That experience stayed with me. It felt like magic. I wanted to be part of that magic. That desire, along with the influence of my sister who is also a podiatrist  led me to where I am today.

Every career journey has its ups and downs, but mine has been largely positive. My heritage has shaped me in ways that allow me to connect with others, especially when cultural sensitivity and understanding matter most. I've been able to offer not just clinical care, but also a sense of belonging helping patients feel seen, heard, and understood. Whether through using culturally appropriate language or involving families in care decisions, my background has been a strength, not a barrier.

If I could change anything, it would be to have believed in myself a bit more early on to have taken more risks and trusted my own voice. Despite that, I know I’ve made a difference. I’ve helped save lives, touched lives, and left things just a little bit better than I found them. That’s always been my motto.

I’ve also been fortunate to extend my contribution beyond clinical work authoring a leadership book, developing professional frameworks, and continuing to influence the next generation of healthcare professionals in small but meaningful ways.

To celebrate South Asian Heritage Month, I want to honour the incredible contribution of South Asians to the healthcare workforce. For decades, we have brought dedication, skill, compassion, and cultural insight to a system that relies on diverse hands and hearts. Whether in hospitals, community settings, education, or policy, South Asians have helped shape modern healthcare in the UK.

We carry the legacy of resilience, service, and community. We continue to rise, not just because of the struggles of our ancestors, but because of the hope they passed on. I’m proud to be a part of that legacy, and I will continue to contribute, in my little way, for as long as I can.